Now the pressure is on the All Blacks to lift again as they face back-to-back tests against the world champion Springboks to start the Tri-Nations.
The clashes in Wellington (July 5) and Dunedin (July 12) will say more about how this team is being rebuilt from the ashes of the World Cup than the scorelines against the tired northern hemisphere sides.
has some issues to address and he intends to spend the next fortnight separating the good from the bad.
"We're scoring tries from set pieces, which is positive, and our back attacks have been good.
We're making some progress," Henry said.
"But we know we've got a lot to work on. It's frustrating because we're not quite where we want to be yet.
"We're struggling to get good ball at the tackle area at times. Our line-out has struggled a bit. And we've got to do some work on breakdown and defence."
Henry said there was no argument South Africa and Australia would present stiffer challenges than England.
The English were poor on this tour and both tests were effectively over as a contest at half-time.
But that should not detract from the All Blacks' efforts.
They've faced months of national soul-searching after the premature Cup exit, a coaching reappointment debate and the need to fill the sizeable gaps left by those who went overseas.
They responded in admirable fashion, showing steel against the Irish and style against the English.
No wonder Henry was keen to remind those focusing on the one or two mediocre aspects of the All Blacks' performance that the Christchurch test was won quite handsomely.
"We're reasonably happy. 44-12 is a good result and I think we got better as the game went on," he said.
"The English had some opportunities that didn't go their way. But I thought they improved from the first test."
The difference between the All Blacks and England in this series could be easily assessed by watching the respective midfields.
In black, a youngster on debut who hadn't played for seven weeks (Richard Kahui) and a much-criticised utility (Ma'a Nonu).
In white, two plodders with experience but zero game-breaking ability (Mike Tindall and Jamie Noon).
When the forwards are relatively evenly matched, as in this series, it is the enterprise of the backs that makes the difference.
This was no contest.
Tindall and Noon were supposed to strengthen the England defence but they were as porous as the last lot.
And on attack they offered as much penetration as a wooden mallet.
Nonu was sound in his third consecutive start at second five but Kahui was a revelation.
He showed pass, timing and excellent positional work, popped up for a try, put in some shuddering tackles and showed toughness by returning to the field after a blood bin.
Conrad Smith regained ground in the first two tests of the season but Kahui has indicated he is ready to make centre a contestable position.
The All Blacks regrouped well after the loss through injury of senior forwards Richie McCaw and Ali Williams.
Rodney So'oialo's leadership was strong, Tony Woodcock made a welcome and powerful return to the front row in the second half, and Otago's Adam Thomson was superb in his first start.
Thomson should have been awarded a first try in the 80th minute, but the Highlanders franchise had some consolation when Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan scored in injury time.
The backs were all a class above the English, with Dan Carter and Kahui the best of the group.
England will not look back on this tour fondly.
Off-field sex scandals added to very average on-field performances made it the Tour From Hell, Part Two.
It wasn't all bad.
Loose forwards Luke Narraway and Tom Rees showed much promise, and Mathew Tait was good value at fullback in Christchurch before his sickening head clash with Kahui.
But England missed the invention of rising star Danny Cipriani and the grit of Simon Shaw and Phil Vickery.
Test numbers
Scores
All Blacks 44 Richard Kahui, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan tries;Carter 4 conversions, 3 penalty goals; Stephen Donald conversion.
England 12 Danny Care, Tom Varndell tries; Olly Barkley conversion.
Half-time: All Blacks 20-0.
Crowd: 25,600.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa).
Statistics
Possession: England 57%-43%.
Territory: All Blacks 52%-48%.
Line-outs: All Blacks 13 (lost three), England nine.
Scrums won: All Blacks 12-11.
Rucks and mauls: England 76-55.
Penalties and free kicks: England 19-15.
